What Is Shawarma? A Simple Guide From a Martinsburg Kitchen

If you have ever looked over a menu, spotted the word "shawarma," and quietly ordered the pizza instead, this one is for you. Shawarma is one of the most familiar foods in the world, and it is still one of the most common questions we hear from folks walking into Remis Pizzeria and Lounge for the first time. Here is the plain-English answer, plus how to order it in Martinsburg.

Shawarma, explained simply

Shawarma is a seasoned meat dish cooked on a vertical rotisserie and then sliced thin. That slow turn is the whole point: the outside of the meat crisps and caramelizes while the inside stays tender and juicy, and every slice catches a little of both. The sliced meat is usually served in a warm flatbread wrap, or over rice or a salad if you would rather eat it with a fork.

Think of it as hearty, savory, and easy to eat. It is the kind of food that works for a quick lunch, a late dinner, or a meal you eat in the car on the way home, which is exactly why it fits so well next to pizza on our menu.

Shawarma vs. gyro vs. a sub

People often ask how shawarma compares to the other handhelds they already know. The short version:

• Gyro: also cooked on a vertical rotisserie and served in a wrap, usually with a yogurt-based sauce and a Greek-style flavor profile.
• Shawarma: similar cooking method, with its own blend of seasonings and a different set of toppings and sauces.
• A sub: stacked cold cuts or hot fillings in a long roll, with no rotisserie involved at all.

If you like a gyro, you will very likely enjoy shawarma. If you are the person who always orders the same sub, this is an easy way to branch out without leaving your comfort zone.

How to enjoy it at Remis

Shawarma is on the menu alongside our handmade, freshly baked pizzas and the carryout favorites our neighbors count on. You have two good options:

• Carryout: it travels well, which makes it a strong choice on a busy weeknight when nobody wants to cook.
• The lounge: if you would rather sit down, stay a while, and eat it hot out of the kitchen, pull up a seat and let us take care of the rest.

Either way, it is made to order, so give it a few minutes. Good food is worth the wait.

Pizza and shawarma night

Here is the move we hear about most from Martinsburg families: order both. A fresh baked pizza covers the kids and the crowd, and shawarma gives the adults something a little different in the same order. It is one stop, one bag, and everyone at the table gets what they wanted.

That combination is also an easy answer when friends show up for the game or you are feeding a work crew. Generous portions, familiar favorites, and something new for the person who is tired of the usual rotation.

Carrying forward a local legacy

Remis Pizzeria and Lounge continues the Bob's Carry Out legacy here in Martinsburg, and that means more than keeping a sign up. It means being the neighborhood spot people can count on for fresh, made-to-order food and a friendly welcome.

Pizza has always been at the heart of that. Shawarma and the other carryout favorites are part of how we keep growing with the town we serve: honoring where this place came from, while giving Martinsburg something new to come back for.

Quick answers

Is shawarma spicy? It is seasoned and savory rather than fiery. If you prefer more heat, ask us when you order and we will point you the right way.

Is it good for carryout? Yes. Shawarma is one of the easiest items on our menu to order ahead and take home.

Can it feed a crowd? It can. Pair it with a pizza for a group and you have an order that covers the table without overthinking it.

What if I have never tried it before? Start with it in a wrap. It is the simplest introduction, and it is how most people fall for it.

Come see what the fuss is about

Whether you are a lifelong Martinsburg local or just passing through, we would love to feed you. Order carryout, or come sit in the lounge and try shawarma alongside a fresh pizza.

Ready to order? Visit remispizza.com to see what is waiting for you today.